Gear change problems

In the last couple of weeks my gear changes have gone a bit funny. Basically, when i shift down the gear lever kind of feels like its not connected to anything, dont really know how to describe it apart from 'soggy'. After pressing it a couple of times it seems to reconnect then downshifts ok, but its not exactly slick.

The bike is a 2009 SV650 Sport with 12,000 miles on it. I have changed the oil and sprayed some grease around the lever but hasnt made any difference. I will check the chain tension, but i think its OK.

Any suggestions?

[maviczap]

Make sure there's not a build up of crud behind the sprocket cover, as this is where the clutch pushrod mechanism is and the crud gets flung off the chain

As above. Check the front sprocket. If chain tension is fine then maybe double check you haven't filled it up with too much oil? That can affect gear changes.

Hadnt thought about crud behind the sprocket cover, I will give that a check. Oil level is fine, but cheers for suggesting. Not much fun trying to do some quick downshifts into corners only to find the bike wont change gear!!

[Biker Biggles]

Have another go at lubing the lever.You may need to take it off the footrest to clear any corrosion build up.They are a bugger for this.

I had an interesting experience today. A bus pulled out on me so I had to slow down from 40mph to about 10. But the bike didn't want to budge from 6th gear. So it was good fun pulling off again in 6th gear.

I think I might have a look under the sprocket cover as well.

[Nobbylad]

I have trouble shifting up from 4th to 5th and sometimes 3rd to 4th or 5th to 6th, usually when I'm not using the clutch and just clicking it up a gear. It will go in and then drop out after a few seconds into a neutral...right PITA!

Cleaned out the sprocket, the chain, lubed all the lever pivot points, oil/filter change the lot...still happens.

Looked at one of those star shifter things (similar to the one for sale on here) but for £150....I'll just use the clutch!

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

Have another go at lubing the lever.You may need to take it off the footrest to clear any corrosion build up.They are a bugger for this.

That one, listen to that one.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

That one, listen to that one.

I agree.

Only takes a little bit of crap to stop the lever returning far enough to index properly.

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

That one, listen to that one.

The lad who works in the Spar shop next door brought his SV650K4 to me two weekends ago so I could show him how to do basic servicing and maintenance. During his lesson I suggested removing the circlip that holds the gear lever on the pivot so we could grease it, to which he replied we could just squirt some spray grease in. I told him to take the lever off and have a look at what's inside before going down that route. The thing was on the verge of seizing, and he had a job pulling the lever off the pivot so he could clean and grease it up.

He smiled and said he'll be doing that regularly. I have a feeling that will be one of the best cared for SVs around our way, the lad is a real stickler for getting it right.